Resources

Purpose of Exhibition

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the District of Montana U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Montana Attorney General’s Office Resolve Montana initiative were proud to present Bitter Pill: Montana Lives Affected by Rx Abuse, a 2016 art exhibition that expressed the human side of prescription drug abuse and recovery. Artwork can be an effective and unique medium to bring the conversation about prescription drug abuse and the toll it exacts on our families, friends, and neighbors to a broad audience. The Bitter Pill exhibition showcased works from more than 30 amateur and professional artists from across Montana whose pieces examined the state’s prescription drug abuse epidemic.

Through their art and accompanying statements, the artists presented the pain and struggles that prescription drug abuse can create. Some artists explored issues such as personal loss, lies told to mask ugly truths, and the effect prescription drug abuse has on the people around the abusers. Others explored the ability of support networks to provide help without judgment, the blessing of second chances, the ability to break the cycle of prescription drug abuse, and the healing of wounds on the path toward recovery. The Bitter Pill art showcase provided the opportunity for positive community discussion that not only reflected on the effects of prescription medication abuse within the community, but did so from the perspectives of those struggling with the effects most.

The Bitter Pill Exhibition traveled to: The Billings Public Library, Billings Skyview High School, the State Capitol Rotunda in Helena, Helena’s Staggering Ox, Helena’s Joseph P. Mazurek Justice Building, Missoula Zootown Arts Community Center, Fergus County High School and Central Montana Medical Center in Lewistown, the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Folklore Coffee and the library in Conrad, Great Falls Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Elk’s Lodge #463 in Bozeman, Beartooth Elks Lodge #534 in Red Lodge, and Dawson County Community College in Glendive.